Folding mechanism for multiple section stacked newspapers

ABSTRACT

Mechanism for folding a number of stacked newspaper sections in half and operable to wrap a protective sheet about the stacked sections during folding thereof if desired. The newspaper sections, along with the optional protective sheet thereunder, are delivered to a pivotally mounted support as a tucker blade is moved along a return path below the leading edges of the newspaper sections. A deflector bends the forward end of the protective sheet back over the newspaper sections. The tucker blade is then shifted along its folding path and initially picks up the trailing end of the protective sheet and folds it back over the newspaper section. Support structure for the tucker blade engages the trailing edges of the newspaper sections and moves the latter forwardly into a position with the leading edges thereof aligned and supported by a swingable carrier. The tucker blade moves downwardly between the support and the carrier as the latter swing relatively away from each other to fold the newspaper sections in half therebetween while holding the overlapped ends of the protective sheet and as the carrier swings out of the way as necessary to accommodate the folded sections. Spaced crusher assemblies receive the folded newspaper sections and firmly hold the latter in transversely curved disposition while string is tied around the bundle.

United States Patent Hannon et al.

[ FOLDING MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE SECTION STACKED NEWSPAPERS [72] Inventors: Warren W. Harmon; Charles N.

Hannon, both of Olathe, Kans.

[73] Assignee: Warren Hannon, Olathe, Kans.

[22] Filed: April 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 138,948

[52] US. Cl. ..53/l20, 270/80 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 63/04 [58] Field of Search ..53/120; 270/80 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,390 8/ 1964 Puckett ..53/ 120 X 3,145,516 8/1964 Hannon et a1. ..53/ 120 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT Mechanism for folding a number of stacked 51 Sept. 19, 1972 V newspaper sections in half and operable to wrap a protective sheet about the stacked sections during folding thereof if desired. The newspaper sections, along with the optional protective sheet thereunder, are delivered to a pivotally mounted support as a tucker blade is moved along a return path below the leading edges of the newspaper sections. A deflector bends the forward end of the protective sheet back over the newspaper sections. The tucker blade is then shifted along its folding path and initially picks up the trailing end of the protective sheet and folds, it back over the newspaper section. Support structure for the tucker blade engages the trailing edges of the newspaper sections and moves the latter forwardly into a position withthe leading edges thereof aligned and supported by a swingable carrier. The tucker blade moves downwardly between the support and the carrier as the latter swing relatively away from each other to fold the newspaper sections in half therebetween while holding the overlapped ends of the protective sheet and as the carrier swings out of the way as necessary to accommodate the folded sections. Spaced crusher assemblies receive the folded newspaper sections and firmly hold the latter in transversely curved disposition while string is tied around the bundle.

20 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsEP 19 I972 3.691.721

sum 2 or 5 J v g 147' NEYS.

PATENTEBSEP 19 I972 SHEEI 0F 5 56 INVEA/TORS.

Warren W. Harmon By Charles N. Harmon WgoM,w2@

A RNEYS.

FOLDING MECHANISM STACKED NEWSPAPERS This invention relates to a machine for folding a number of stacked newspaper sections in half in cases where the total thickness of the stacked sections varies from time to time and is so great as to make double folding or folding thereof in thirds impractical. The machine is also operable to wrap a protective sheet about the sections during folding thereof if desired, followed by tieing of one or more strings about the final folded bundle to facilitate throwing thereof by a newspaper delivery carrier.

Machines have been available for some years which are operable to remove one newspaper from a stack thereof and either fold the once folded newspaper in half twice, or under certain circumstances, in thirds, depending upon the orientation thereof as it is directed to the folding apparatus. As the number of pages of many newspapers has increased over the years, primarily because of the larger volume of advertising which newspapers are now able to sell, it has been common practice to print each newspaper in the form of a number of individual sections which must be collated in some manner before delivery by the carrier. Sunday editions of a paper for example, and those preceeding holidays such as Christmas, frequently contain a large number of individual news and advertising supplement sections with the total newspaper frequently running several hundred pages in length. In the case of newspapers having more than 200 total pages, it has been found impractical to twice fold the total package in half or even in thirds, using presently available automatic folding machines, as for example illustrated and described in our prior US. Pat. No. 3,161,000, or a machine as shown in our US. Pat. No. 3,255,569 which is operable to remove and simultaneously fold newspaper sections from multiple supply stacks thereof.

Sunday editions of a newspaper generally contain a number of sections which are preprinted ahead of the news sections, as for example comic papers, special events sections, and regular feature supplements which do not depend upon last hour printing for timeliness. It is usual practice to preprint comic sections at a central geographical location many days or weeks ahead of the actual use thereof, and to then ship these sections to the various subscribers for insertion into the Sunday paper immediately before delivery thereof. Similarly, feature supplements are often printed during mid-week runs when press time is not as critical a factor as is the case on the final Saturday night run when latebreaking news must be included in the final news section of the paper. As a result, the publisher or the delivery carriers are faced with the necessity of collecting and collating the various sections as soon as the news section is completed and available since the latter must be run as late as possible on the press so that the latest news is incorporated into the final edition.

Many newspapers have used temporary help that work once a week on Saturday evenings to collate the newspaper sections by hand before bundling of the final editions so that they may be delivered to the carrier at the last possible hour. in order to physically handle the large volume of newspaper sections which must be collated, it can be appreciated that a relatively large number of workers are required even though for only a FOR MULTIPLE SECTION v short interval of time. Not only is there a problem of obtaining adequate help to do this job on a short-time basis at a very inconvenient hour, but just as importantly, the cost of hand collation is relatively high.

As explained above, automatic machines for collating newspaper sections have heretofore been available to somewhat minimize the hand collation problem, but prior apparatus has not been suitable for folding very thick newspapers involving a sufficient number of supplements and sections to cause the total package to run 200 pages or more. immediately prior to holiday periods, for example, where maximum advertising coverage is sought, some metropolitan newspapers run in excess of 600 total pages.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide automatic apparatus for folding once folded multiple section newspapers in half which exceed 200 total sheets, and capable of not only tieing a securing string around the folded bundle, but also to wrap the same in a protective sheet if desired to protect the newspaper from the elements.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a newspaper folding mechanism as described above which is operable to fold once folded newspaper sections in half in cases where the sections are either inserted one within the other in nested relationship, or inserted within one or more sections serving as an outer jacket, or are simply stacked one on top of another in collated relationship.

Also an important object of the invention is to provide newspaper folding apparatus for folding relatively thick newspapers made up of a number of sections and inserts which is selectively operable to place a protective wrapper around the folded bundle and which functions in a manner to fold trailing and leading ends of the protective sheet underlying the newspaper to be folded,

back over thetop of the newspaper so that upon folding of the latter in half, the ends of the protective sheet are tucked inside of the fold to render the package substantially impervious to moisture and the like except for possible entrance of water through the ends of the package which does not normally occur unless the carrier happens to throw the wrapped newspaper into a puddle or the like.

in this connection, an important object of the invention is to provide newspaper folding and wrapping apparatus having the characteristics referred to above wherein wrapping of the protective sheet about the newspaper during folding thereof is facilitated and a relatively waterproof package results by virtue of the fact that the newspaper to be folded resting on the protective sheet is directed to a support in a manner to cause the leading edge of the sheet to be bent back over the newspaper and the tucker blade for folding the newspaper in half moves beneath the newspaper as it is directed into the folding station and then moves over the top of the trailing edge of the newspaper to bend the trailing end of the protective sheet over the top of the newspaper so that upon engagement of the tucker blade with the newspaper to fold the latter in half, the tucker blade contacts the overlapped ends of the protective sheet to hold the same in position as the newspaper is folded in half, thus trapping the ends of the protective wrapper inside of the fold of the newspaper.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for folding relatively thick newspapers in half which is operable to prepare a tight bundle by virtue of the provision of unique folding mechanism wherein the stacked newspaper sections are delivered to a support, the tucker blade for folding the newspaper in half moves beneath the newspaper during delivery thereof to the support and thence over the top of the newspaper, with supports for the tucker blade being located to engage the trailing margins of the newspaper sections to force the latter forwardly until the leading edges thereof are received within a swingable carrier whereby upon continued'movement of the tucker blade along a path between the paper support and the movable carrier, the newspaper is folded in half therebetw'een so that proper folding ofthe latter is obtainedlregardless of the thickness of the newspaper by virtue of the swingable nature of the support carrier. A corollaryobject of the invention is to assure preparation of a tight bundle by virtue of the provision of spring biased, longitudinally curved, complementary crusher-members which receive the folded newspaper and impart a transversely curved configuration thereto so that upon tieing of' the bundle and displacement thereof from the crusher bars, the newspaper tends'to return to its initially flat condition, thus stretching the securing strings and producing a tight package which may be readily thrown by the carrier. 1

Also an important object of the invention is to provide a folding machine for multiple section newspapers of substantial thickness which isoperable to fold a number of sections in stacked, uninserted relationship by'virtue of the fact that the supports for the tucker blade not only engage the trailing edges of the newspaper sections and force'the same forwardly into the swingable carrier, but also maintain the sections in alignment-as the tucker blade moves through its folding arc.

Other-objects and important features of the present invention will become apparent or be explained in greater detail as the following specification progresses.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 isa side elevational view illustrating a multiple hopper newspaper section collating and conveyor unit on the left side of the figure and with a folding, wrapping and tieing machine constructed in accordance with the preferred concepts of the present invention, illustrated in side elevation with the cover panels thereon, and operably joined to the right hand end of the collator;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the same side of the folding machine of this invention as shown in FIG. 1, with the side panel normally overlying the operating mechanism being removed to reveal the components thereunder;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the opposite side of the machine as shown in FIG. 2 with the cover panel normally overlying the operating mechanism also being removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the machine illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with both cover panels being removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the irregular line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

blade which moves beneath the paper sections as they move into the folding station, and thence over the top of the newspaper sections to fold the same in half. as the forward edge of the tucker blade moves between a support for the newspaper sections and a swingable carrier for the forwardmost portion thereof; and

- FIG. 17 is a schematic showing of a completed bundle produced by single folding of a relatively thick once folded stack of newspapers usingthe novel machine of this invention.

A preferred machine for folding relatively thick newspaper sections in half and to wrap a protective sheet there-around if desired, along with a securing string placed around the folded bundle for, facilitating handling and throwing thereof, is broadly designated by v the numeral 20 in the drawings and is illustrated therein in normal operative relationship connected to a multiple hopper collating and conveying unit 22 (FIG. 1). Although folding machine 20 may be used with any type of multiple hopper collating or newspaper insertion apparatus, unit 22 is typical of a particularly useful type thereof having a series of hoppers 24 (4 hoppers being shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes only) which are adapted to receive individual stacks of newspaper sections to be collated. A horizontal delivery belt 26 is provided in underlying relationship to the series of hoppers so that as the sections of newspapers are fed in successive orderfrom the bottom of each hopper 24, an assembly of stacked newspaper sections is formed which are ultimately delivered to machine 20 for folding, wrapping and tieing. Although as illustrated, unit 22 is operable to collate the newspaper sections in stacked relationship with one on top of the other, it is to be understood that machine 20 is capable of handling newspaper sections presenting a relatively thick package whether or not the sections are stacked one above the other, one or'more of the sections are inserted within an outer jacket section, or the package is made up of combinations of stacked supplements and inserted sections. It is also to be noted at this juncture that although the schematic diagrams 8-16 show only three newspaper sections in stacked relationship, it is to be understood that any number of sections within practical limits may be provided inthe stack thereof and the pictorial representations in schematic FIGS. 8-16 are for purposes of more clearly illustrating the functional operation of the components of machine 20 without reference to a specific number of sections which can be folded in machine 20.

Machine 20 has a base frame 28 preferably mounted on wheels 20 for mobility and is adapted to be positioned in abutting relationship to the delivery end 31 of unit 22. The two upright, parallel, horizontally spaced main frame plates 32 and 34 of machine 20 are carried by base frame 28 and held in proper spaced relationship by a number of spacer bars 36 to 46 inclusive. The outer faces of these plates are normally screened from view by respective cover panels 33. Primary horizontal drive shaft 48 extending between plates 32 and 34 adjacent the rear upright margins thereof projects outwardly from opposite faces of the support plates. A sprocket 50 rigidly secured to and carried by shaft 48 between plates 32 and 34 is rotatable by an endless link chain 52 which is trained around another sprocket S4 spaced rearwardly of chain as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pair of spaced, elongated support members 56 and 58 carried by drive shaft 48 and freely rotatable thereon on opposite sides of sprocket are interconnected by a connector 60 and mount a shaft 62 on the outer end thereof which supports not only sprocket 54, but a segmented coupler 64 as well. Although machine 20 could have its own separate prime mover, it is convenient to derive power from unit 22, and this can be efficiently done through the medium of coupler 64 which is adapted to mate with a similar segmented coupling unit driven by a prime mover forming a part of unit 22. One advantage of this type of an arrangement is the fact that proper timed operation of machine 20 with respect to unit 22 is automatically obtained. Thus, when machine 20 is moved against the output end of unit 22, the coupler 64 is joined to its associated coupling member forming a part of unit 22 and machine 20 is suitably secured to the end structure of the collating unit so that relative movement between the latter and machine 20 is precluded.

As is apparent from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, an arm 66 secured to the outermost end of shaft 48 outboard of mounting plate 34 is pivotally joined to a link 68 which is in turn pivotally coupled to an arm 70 secured to a cross shaft 72 extending throughplate 34 and received within a suitable bearing support 73 therefor on the inner face of wall 32. Shaft 72 'serves as support for tucker blade structure broadly designated 74. An elon-. gated mounting member 76, (FIG. 5) carried by cross shaft 72 between plates 32 and 34 and which also serves as counterweight supports three parallel, spaced support and newspaper section pusher members a, b and 0 respectively which are bolted to mounting members 78 therefor welded to member 76. Each of the members 80a-c carries an elongated, longitudinally arcuate tucker blade 82 on the extremities thereof remote from shaft 72, and as best shown in FIG. 5, all of the blades 82 are of the same length, and are of the same arcuate configuration, although the center tucker blade 82a has cut away portions along the rear side edges thereof to cause the trailing portion of the blade to be substantially narrower than the forwardmost part thereof while blades 82b and 82c on opposite sides thereof are of the same transverse width throughout their length.

During oscillation of tucker blade structure 74, the blades 82 move past a support assembly 84 made up of a number of components for receiving the newspaper sections to be folded to provide initial support therefor as the tucker blade structure 74 returns from the extreme folding position thereof as illustrated by full lines in FIG. 5 to the position thereof in closest proximity to the collating unit 22 as depicted by the dotted line illustration. Assembly 84 includes a pair of downwardly opening, spaced, parallel, essentially channel shaped support members 86 extending fore and aft of machine 20 eachpivotally supported by a corresponding cross shaft 87, extending through respective downturned legs of each channel member 86 and supported by spaced, parallel, forwardly projecting extensions 88 of L- shaped frame units 90 and 92 carried by spacer bar 42 and projecting upwardly therefrom as best shown in FIG. 5. Individual elongated roller mounting elements 91 pivotally mounted on the outboard legs of channel members 86 carry outwardly disposed rollers 94 thereon which are located adjacent the forwardmost ends of the channel members. Each of the rollers 94 receives one stretch of a corresponding endless rubber belt 96 which is also trained over corresponding cross shafts 87 which project outwardly from the downturned legs of members 86. Stud bolts 93 receivable in any one of the vertical spaced openings 95 therefor in corresponding downturned outboard legs of channel members 86 thread into the forward extremi-' ties of elements 91 to permit selective variation of the height of the forward ends of rubber belts 96. In this manner, selective adjustment may be made of the height of the front ends of belts 96 with reference to the upper surfaces of channel members 86. Idler rollers 97 on channel members 86 between each pair of rollers 94 and 98 are rotatable on the pivot pins 99 for corresponding mounting elements 91.

A pair of sprockets 100 on shaft 48 (one of which is located between sprocket 40 and plate 58) are operably joined to respective sprockets or shafts 87 of support members 86 through endless link chains 102 to drive conveyor belts 92 throughout the time of rotation of shaft 48. Extension members 103 projecting forwardly from the outboard upright 7 members of L- shaped frame units 90 and 92 receive the lower ends of coil springs 104 which are also hooked to the rear margins of channel members 86 to bias the same in counter-clockwise directions viewing FIG. 5 until arrested by stops 106 on the upper crosspieces of frames 90 and 92.

Horizontal side plates 108 and 110 projecting inwardly from the inner surfaces of mounting plates 32 and 34 respectively are in horizontal alignment (FIGS. 4 and 6) with the upper surfaces of support members 86, and cooperate therewith to support newspaper sections to be folded as they are directed to the folding station of machine 20.

A carrier broadly designated by the numeral 112 is cooperable with support assembly 84 to support the newspaper sections in stacked relationship as they are folded by tucker blade structure 74. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, carrier 112 includes a trough shaped receptacle having two upright, parallel, horizontally spaced, irregularly configured end walls 114 and 116 which are secured to and suspended from a horizontal cross shaft 118 rotatably in aligned bearings 120 and 122 on the upper parts of mounting plates 32 and 34. The bottom wall 124 spanning the distance between the lower margins of opposed end walls 114 and 116, is located in generally parallel alignment with the upper surfaces of channel members 86 when carrier 112 is in the normal standby position thereof as best shown in FIG. 5. Cross wall 126 joining the margin of end walls 114 and 116 remote from shaft 118, as well as integrally connected with the adjacent longitudinally extending margin of bottom wall 124, extends upwardly from the latter and serves as a barrier to continued forward movement of stacked newspapers directed to the folding station if such papers should move beyond the pusher members 80 of tucker blade structure 74. Top wall 128 connected to the uppermost margin of cross wall 126 as well as to end walls 114 and 116 completes the cavity defining structure of carrier 112 and prevents newspaper sections from being driven upwardly out of the carrier during operation of machine 20, particularly under high speed conditions,v and forces such papers to remain in substantial alignment as the forwardmost edges thereof contact wall 126 if the stack is forced ahead of the pushers defined by members 80.

As is evident from FIG. 2, crank arm 130, secured to shaft-118 outboard of the outermost face of mounting plate 32 is pivotally joined to a clutch member. 132 swingable on pivot pin 134 below shaft 118, through the medium of a connector link 136 swingably secured to member 130 as well as connector link 136. A downturned projection 138 on the end of member 132 remote from link 136 (FIG. 2) is normally received within a groove 141 in clutch assembly 139.

Spur gear 140 on the end of drive shaft 48 outboard of the outer face of mounting vplate 32 operably meshes with a complementary spur gear 143 which is secured to the outer end of shaft 142 carried by both of the plates 32 and 34 for stability. Sprocket 144 secured to shaft 142 for rotation by spur gear 140, and spur gear 143 operably coupled thereto, receives an endless chain 146 thereover which is in turn operably trained around sprocket 147 forming a part of clutch assembly 139. The sprocket 147 which is freely rotatable on cross shaft 148 extending between mounting plates 32 and 34, and projecting outwardly from the outboard face of plate 32, has a plate 150 secured thereto provided with a notch in the outer periphery thereof (not shown in detail). Clutch element 160 of clutch assembly 139 provided with groove 141 therein has a shiftable detent which is biased toward a position to be received within the notch in plate 150, but which is normally held out of such plate engaging disposition by the downturned projection 138 of clutch member 132. Clutch element 160 has a sprocket 162 thereon which receives an endless chain 164 that is in turn trained around a sprocket 166 onto shaft 168. Pin 170 of clutch element 160 projecting outwardly therefrom within groove 141 is located to cam the clutch detent back into its inoperative position when carrier 112 is in the normal position of the same as illustrated in FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIG. 5, arcuate tucker blades 82 of tucker blade structure 74 move along a curvilinear path of travel from the dotted line position thereof past the space between the forwardmost edges of channel members 86 and the proximal rear margin of bottom wall 124 of carrier 112. Tucker blade structure 74 is operable to engage a relatively thick newspaper made up of interleaved or stacked sections delivered to support assembly 84, push the stack forwardly therealong so that the leading edges of the newspaper sections are received in carrier 112 as the newspapers are moved forwardly by the members supporting tucker blades 82, and then fold the paper in half as the blades 82 drive downwardly into the space between support assembly 84 and carrier 1 12.

Crusher bar structure broadly designated 172 is provided beneath carrier 112 for receiving the newspaper which has been folded in half by tucker blade structure 74, and as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, crusher bar structure 172 includes a pair of upright supports 174 and 176 secured to and extending upwardly from spacer bar 40. Elongated, generally C-shaped crusher bars 178 and 180 are pivotally mounted'on extensions 182 projecting forwardly from the uppermost ends of support 174 and 176 respectively. As can be best seen in FIG. 5, the rearmost extremities of crusher bars 178 and 180 project past respective supports 174 and 176 therefor with coil springs 184 hooked between members 103 and crusher bars 178 and 180 respectively serving to bias the latter into normal engagement with the uppermost ends of respective supports 174 and 176 as well as extensions 182 thereon.

Of particular note is the way in which the outermost curved end extremities 178a and 180a of crusher bars 178 and 180 respectively are both of arcuate configurapending support legs 192 on opposite ends thereof which rotatably receive shaft 168. Support for shaft 168 takes the form of members 194 rotatably supported on opposite ends of cross shaft 148 outboard of respective outer faces of mounting plates 32 and 34. p

A pair of upright support elements 196 and 198 (FIGS. 2 and 3) pivotally carried by mounting plates 32 and 34 on the outermost faces'thereof in disposition below carrier 112, serve as means for supporting a cross shaft 200 which is free to swing about the axis of pivoting movement of support elements 196 and 198 by virtue of the provision of clearance slots v202 therefor in horizontally aligned relationship in'corresponding mounting plates 32 and 34. Connectors 204 and 206 joining shafts 168 and 200 on the inside of mounting plates 32 and 34 insure movement of such shafts together as crusher bars 186 and 188 are forced away from crusher bars 178 and 180 when a folded newspaper is shoved therebetween as will be explained. It is, therefore, important to take note also of the fact that the lowermost extremities of crusher bars 186 and 188 are longitudinally curved in essentially complementary relationship to the end portions of opposed crusher bars 178 and 180. Not only are the crusher bars movable away from each other as explained by virtue of shifting of shaft 168 in the clearance slots 206 provided therefore in plates 32 and 34, as well as pivoting of the crusher bars 178 and 180 about their points of swinging movement on respective pivot pins 208, but the crusher bars. are also preferably constructed of resilient stock having inherent springiness so that deflection of the curved portions of the bars results in immediate return thereof to their initial configuration upon removal of the pressure thereon by virtue of the inherent memory of the steel stock.

By virtue of the fact that the stack of newspaper sections to be folded in machine 20 during each operating cycle is of relatively thick nature, as previously explained, and the bundle thus presented is of substantial size, it is preferred that two string tieing units 210 be provided on shaft 168 for rotation therewith. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the stationary'housing sections 210a of tieing units 210 are secured to support legs 212 suspended from cross piece 190. The rotatable portions 210b for each tieing unit 210 are coupled to shaft 168 for rotation therewith.

String guide needles 214 cooperable with tieing units 210 and carried generally by C-shaped supports 216 therefore secured to shaft 200 for rotation therewith, are oscillated by crank arm 218 carried by the outermost end of shaft 200 projecting outwardly from mounting plate 34, with connector link 220 pivotally joined to the outer end of crank arm 218 being reciprocated by pitman arm 222 and fixed to shaft 168 for rotation therewith. Guide needles 214 are preferably of the breakaway type whereby they break about the knuckle connectors 217 if the needles engage a relatively immovable, jammed newspaper during the swinging movement of such needles. U- shaped frame 215 suspended from shaft 200 for rotation therewith carries adjustable needle reset protuberances thereon for returning the needles to normal operative positions following breaking thereof in the event of a paper jam up. The side members of frame 215 also engage resilient stops 217 and 219 on the inside surfaces of plates 32 and 34 to limit swinging movement of the string guides. Spacer bar 224 between shafts 168 and 200 serves to maintain the same in proper spatial relationship.

The tieing units 210 and associated string guide needles 214'are of a type which have long been used for tieing strings around bundles. As a consequence, a detailed description of the construction and specific operation of these units is not necessary since various tieing units commercially available on the market may be used for purposes of the present machine.

String is supplied to tieing units 210 from spools carried by frame 28 below machine 20. The string passes through pressure restrainers 226 before being strung upwardly to the string guide needles 214 and thence over to the heads 2100 of respective tieing units 210.

Springs 228 on the outer faces of mounting plates 32 and 34 joined to support elements 196 and 198 respectively, serve to bias crusher bars 186 and 188 toward opposed crusher bars 178 and 180, although as previously described, the crusher bars are movable away from each other as a folded newspaper is forced therebetween, as shaft 200 swings about the pivot axis for support elements 196 and 198 and as the parallel linkage provided by spacer connectors 204 and 206 coupled to cross shaft 186 and thereby the crosspiece 190, also is moved by the paper. 1

As is evident from FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, two upstanding extension plates 230 on the upper margins of mounting plates 32 and 34 carry a rotatable shaft 232 thereon which is located above support assembly 84 and serves as means for mounting a wrapper deflector panel 234 substantially spanning the distance between mounting plates 32 and 34. Panel 34 has an outwardly bent lower margin 34a which projects toward the rear of machine 20. Coil spring 236 connected to the upper edge of deflector 234 above the axis of pivoting movement thereof and joined to mounting plate 34, biases deflector 234 in a clockwise direction viewing FIGS. 2 and 5 for folding a protective wrapper back over the leading edge of newspaper sections directed onto support assembly 84.

Retainer structure 238 is provided on plate 32 adjacent to deflector 234 for holding the latter in an inoperative position against bar 240 (FIG. 5) when it is not desired to use machine 20 for folding a protective wrapper around the stack of newspapers.

In cases where wrappers are to be placed around the newspaper during folding thereof, two flexible fingers 242 cooperate with deflector 234 to hold the leading edge of the wrapper back over against the newspaper stack prior to folding thereof, with the deflector serving to first fold the leading edge of the wrapper back over the newspapers and the fingers 242 then operating to hold the folded back edge of the wrapper against the newspaper sections.

Two plates 244 and 246 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) mounted on spacer bars 44 and 46 each carry depending retainers 248 hingedly mounted thereon for holding the trailing edge of a protective wrapper for the newspaper sections in disposition where such trailer can readily be folded back over the stack of newspapers by tucker blade structure 74. Guides 250 mounted on the inner faces of plates 32 and 34 above support assembly 84 and each provided with downtumed, curved forward margins assure smooth delivery of the wrapper to the folding station and preclude significant-wrinkling of the side margins thereof during movement of a newspaper and associated protective wrapper thereunder from the conveyor of collator 22 to the support assembly 84.

OPERATION In describing a typical cycle of operation of machine 20, reference will primarily be made to the schematic illustrations of FIGS. 8 to 16 inclusive, and the remaining Figures will be referred to in detail only to the extent necessary to understand the interrelationship of the parts and their functional cooperation. For example, in FIG. 8, conveyor 252 depicted therein is a part of the collator unit 22 which, as previously described, has a plurality of feeding units for successively placing a number of newspaper sections 54a, b and c in stacked relationship on conveyor 52 for ultimate delivery to the support assembly 84 of machine 20. Machine 20 is operable to fold not only newspapers in half which are made up of a number of sections inserted one within the other, but also may be used to fold a number of stacked sections inserted in an outer section, or within other sections making up a part of the stack which is broadly designated by the numeral 258. In addition, for purposes of the initial description of the operation of machine 20, it is presumed that the operator desires to place a protective sheet in the nature of a water impervious wrapper 260 around the stack 258 during folding thereof in half.

The collator unit or other similar mechanism is operable to place the newspaper sections 254 on a wrapper 260 in disposition such that both leading and trailing edges 260a and 26% of the wrapper 260 project beyond the leading and trailing edges of the stack 258. As a consequence, conveyor 252 is timed to direct the stack 258 resting on a wrapper 260 onto support assembly 84 as the tucker blade structure 74 of machine 20 returns from its folding position as depicted by the full lines in FIG. 5, to the dotted line disposition of thesame shown in the same Figure. The deflector 234 picks up the leading edge 260a of wrapper 260 and folds such edge back over the forwardmost margins of the newspaper sections 254 as illustrated in FIG. 9, wherein it can be seen that the lower margin of deflector 234 holds the wrapper 260 down against the front edge of the stack 258 so that the leader 260a is folded down neatly against the upper face of the stack 258. Of particular note is the fact that during delivery of the stack of newspaper sections 254 to support assembly 84, the tucker blades 82 move beneath the stack of newspapers and the curved surfaces of the tucker .blades 82 serve as a partial support for the stack 258 as the latter is moved onto the tiltable channel members 86. At the time the tucker blade structure 74 reaches theleftmost end of its path of travel, as. shown in FIG. 10, the stack 258 of newspaper sections 254 has come to rest on support assembly 84 and the members 248 retain the trailer 260b of wrapper 260 in disposition tending to overlap the rear portion of the stack 258. At this pointin the sequence of operation, the deflector 234 has returned to its initial disposition and the fingers 242 commence to come into operation to hold the leader 2600 of wrapper 260 down against the stack of newspapers.

FIG. 11 schematicallyillustrates the way in which blades 82 of tucker blade structure 74 move forwardly in overlying relationship to'the trailing margins of the stack of newspaper sections making up assembly 258 with the forwardmost extremities of blades 82 engaging trailer 260b to force the latter down into overlapping relationship to the leader 260a of wrapper 260. At the same time, the support members 80 of tucker blade structure 74 engage the rear margins of newspaper sections 254 to push the stack 258 forwardly toward carrier 112. During such forward shifting of stack 258, the fingers 242 continue to press the leader 2600 of wrapper 260 down against the upper face of the stack. Thus, as'is shown best in FIG. 12, the forward margin of stack 258 is shiftedinto carrier 112 so that the bottom wall 124 thereof serves as a support for the leading edge of stack 258. During this increment of operation, the fingers 242 and the forward ends of tucker blades 82 mutually cooperate to keep the wrapper in tight folded engagement with the newspaper section 254 so that when the tucker blade structure 74 shifts between the support assembly 84 and carrier 112 as shown in FIG. 13, the tucker blades 82 not only fold the stack 258 in half as carrier I12 swings counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 13, and channel members 86 tilt about the axis of shafts 87, but the tucker blades 82 also continue to hold the wrapper in firm engagement with the newspaper sections so that the leading and trailing overlapped margins of the wrapper 260 are folded inside of the stack 258 for maintenance of watertight integrity in the final completed package.

In FIG. 14, it can be seen that the tucker blade structure 74 has shifted through an arcuate displacement sufficient to substantially fold the stack 258 in half with the folded newspaper now commencing to move between opposed crusher bars 178 and 180 on one side and crusher bars186 and 188 on the opposite side. Of particular note is the way in which carrier 112 and sup- 1 man 222 onshaft 168.

port assembly 84 are able to pivot relatively against bias forces thereon to maintain a minimum of spacing therebetween regardless of the thickness of the stack 258 being folded during each cycle of operation of machine 20.

Tucker blade structure 74 has completed its movement to the right in FIG. 15 with the folded stack of newspapers 258 firmly gripped by the opposed crusher bars. String 262 extending between needle 214 and a respective tieing unit 210, is disposed in underlying, partially enveloping relationship to the folded newspapers. In FIG. 16, completion of the tieing operation is depicted schematically wherein it can be seen that the needle 214 has been rotated into operative relationship to a corresponding tieing unit 210 after tucker blade structure 74 has been returned toward the Iefthand end of the path of travel. By virtue of the longitudinally curved configuration of the crusher bars 178 and 180 as well as crusher bars 186 and 188, the folded stack of newspapers 258 must assume a transversely curved disposition as shown in FIG. 16 so that when another folded newspaper in the next cycle of operation is pushed down into the space between opposed crusher bars to displace the tied bundle 264 therefrom, the package ejected tends to return to its normal shape as shown in FIG. 17 to stretch the strings tied around the bundle and thereby present a tight package which may be readily thrown by a delivery carrier without fear of the sections coming apart, or being displaced from the wrapper260 therearound.

Returning to FIGS. 2 to 6 inclusive for a brief explanation of the mechanical operation of the components illustrated schematically in FIGS. 8 to 16 inclu sive, it is apparent that rotation of sprocket 54 by the prime mover of collator unit 22 effects rotation of shaft 48 to drive spur gear connected thereto as well as the spur gear 143 on shaft l42.-Continuous rotation of shaft 48 drives the belts 96 on opposite sides of channel members 86 to assist in shifting of the newspaper sections to be folded across support assembly 84 and into the cavity of carrier 112. In cases where the drive belts 96 provide too much forward motion for a particular type of newspaper stack 258 to be folded, the forwardmost edges of the rubber belts may be moved out of driving disposition by changing the position of stud bolts 93 to locate the same in respective lower openings 95 as shown in FIG. 5. i

Although the clutch sprocket 147 is continuously driven from shaft 142 proper intermittent operation of tieing units 210 is effected upon swinging of carrier 1 12 by virtue of lifting of the blocking member 138 out of groove 141 in timed relationship to permit lockup of the plate to clutch member for cycling of the tieing units thereby.

Similarly, the tieing needles 214 are driven over the top of the folded newspaper retained between crusher bars 178 and 180 opposed to crusher bars 186 and 188, by virtue of proper timed oscillation of shaft 200 driven by crank arm 218 coupled to link 220 and the drive pit- Mounting of the tieing units 210 as well as crusher bars 186 and 188 on a floating support permits machine 20 to automatically adjust itself to any thickness of papers being folded therein with proper pressure being placed on the once folded sections between the crusher bars to assure preparation of a tight final package, even though the thickness of the folded stack may vary substantially from run to run.

In the event the tieing needles encounter a newspaper which has not been pushed downwardly into the proper position thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 16, by virtue of a misfeed or the like, the needles simply engage the jammed newspaper, breakaway and then are reset by the reset bar of support structure 215 during the next cycle of operation. It is to be understood in this respect that when a misfeed occurs, sensing units normally provided on the machine discontinue operation thereof until the jammed newspaper can be cleared. The misfeed detection structure has not been illustrated and described in detail in this application since the construction and functioning thereof are not a part of this invention.

Machine may be operated to fold a stack 258 of newspapers without placing a protective wrapper therearound by the simple expedient of failing to load the wrapper hopper of collator 22. Generally, the deflector 234 is swung out of the way so it can be held in an inoperative position by retainer 238, but even this is not essential. The operating sequence of machine 20 is precisely as-previously described, whether or not a protective wrapper is placed around the newspaper sections, although certain of the wrapper retaining components are redundant parts. Thus, these parts may be omitted from a machine which does not require wrapper handling capability.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for folding a relatively thick, oncefolded newspaper comprising:

a support for receiving the newspaper to be folded;

a tucker blade movable along a return path beneath the leading edge of said newspaper as it is directed onto the support therefor to a position above the trailing edge of the newspaper, and thence along a folding path which initially overlies the trailing portion of the newspaper carried by said support,

there being pusher means associated with the tucker blade located to engage the trailing edge of the newspaper and operable to push the latter forwardly on the support as the tucker blade moves along the initial part of its folding path of travel;

a carrier positioned to receive the leading edge of the newspaper as the latter is pushed forwardly on the support by said pusher means,

said tucker blade during continued movement thereof along said folding path being movable into engagement with the newspaper and thence downwardly between the support and said carrier to fold the newspaper therebetween;

power means operably coupled to said tucker blade for successively moving the latter along said return and folding paths of travel thereof; and

combination holding and fastening mechanism operable to receive the folded newspaper and then place a fastener therearound while the newspaper is firmly held in its folded condition so that upon ejection thereof from the machine, the newspaper presents a tight, compact bundle.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes spaced crusher assemblies for receiving the folded newspaper as it is pushed downwardly between the support and said carrier by said tucker blade, and fastening means for placing said fastener .around 'the folded newspaper while it is firmly held by said crusher assemblies.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging'movement toward and away from the support and is providedwith a bottom wall located to support the leading edge of the newspaper, said carrier being swingable relative to the support as the newspaper is folded between the carrier and said support by the tucker blade.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pusher means comprises support structure for said tucker blade.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein is provided a shaft mounted for pivoting movement in spaced relationship from said newspaper support, said structure comprising members carried by the shaft for swinging movement during pivoting thereof and extending above the support for engaging said trailing edge of a newspaper carried thereby, there being at least one longitudinally arcuate tucker blade carried by said members in spaced relationship from said shaft, 7 and the power means being operably coupled to said shaft for oscillating the latter.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tucker blade is movable along an arcuate path of travel and is of longitudinally arcuate configuration conforming the arc through which it is movable.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the support, and means connected to the carrier for biasing the latter toward its position in closest proximity to the support to maintain a minimum gap between the carrier and support during folding of a newspaper therebetween, regardless of the thickness of the newspaper.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a pair of opposed, spaced crusher assemblies located to receive the folded newspaper as it is pushed downwardly between the support and the carrier, at least one of the crusher assemblies being mounted for movement toward and away from the other crusher assembly, and means for biasing said one crusher assembly toward the other to maintain a firm grip on a folded newspaper received between the crusher assemblies regardless of the thickness thereof.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the portions of the crusher assemblies receiving the newspaper therebetween are of arcuate configuration in the direction of movement of the newspaper, and said fastening means of the mechanism is operable to place at least one fastener around the folded newspaper while the latter is held in a transversely bent condition conforming substantially to the curvature of the crusher assemblies whereby the fastener is maintained in tight condition about the folded newspaper upon displacement thereof from the crusher assemblies.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the fastening means of said mechanism is mounted for movement with said one crusher assembly and operable to place at least one fastener around the folded newspaper while it is held by the crusher assemblies.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said fastening means includes at least one tier having a main tying unit carried by said one crusher assembly and an associated needle mounted for swinging movement over the folded newspaper held by the crusher assemblies into cooperative tying relationship to said unit.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a pair of opposed spaced crusher assemblies located to receive the folded newspaper as it ispushed downwardly between the support and the carrier, each of the crusher assemblies being provided with a plurality of elongated members having newspaper engaging sections of longitudinally arcuate configuration, the members of opposed assemblies being of conplemental curvature in the same direction.

13. A machine as set forthin claim 1, wherein said carrier and the support are mounted for swinging movement toward and away from each other, said mechanism including fastening Y means 7 for placing a fastener around the folded newspaper after it has been folded between the carrier and the support, and clutch means for permitting operation of the fastening means only upon deflection of the carrier from its normal position by a newspaper pushed downward between the support and said carrier by the tucker blade.

14. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided movable conveyor means operably associated with said support and extending in the direction of movement of the newspaper across the support to assure uniform delivery of the newspaper to the carrier without canting of such newspaper.

15. A machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said support includes a flat plate and said conveyor means includes an endless conveyor belt located adjacent each side of the plate. 1

16. A machine as set forth in claim 1, which is adapted to fold a plurality of newspapers in stacked relationship and wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the support and is provided with an upright wall across the path of travel of the stacked newspapers disposed to be engaged by the leading edges thereof if such stacked newspapers move ahead of the pusher means whereby engagement of the newspapers withsaid wall effects alignment of the leading edges thereof prior to folding of the stacked newspapers by said tucker blade.

17. A machine as set forth in claim I, wherein said mechanism includes fastening means for placing a fastener around the folded newspapers after folding thereof between the support and the carrier, and means operably coupling said power means to the fastening means for operating the tucker blade and said fastening means in timed sequential interrelationship.

18. A machine as set forth in claim 1, which is adapted to wrap a protective wrapper sheet around the newspaper during folding thereof and wherein the newspaper to be folded is delivered to the support resting on a sheet having ends projecting forwardly of the leading edge of the newspaper and rearwardly of the trailing edge thereof, said machine including:

a deflector above the support located to be engaged by the leading end of the sheet as the newspaper is delivered onto the support and operable to bend said leading end back over the leading edge of the newspaper, and said tucker blade being operable during movement when folded back over the newspaper, said tucker' blade being located to engage the overlapped ends of the sheet to hold the latter as the tucker blade is moved along the path effecting folding of the newspaper between the support and said carrier.

20. A machine as set forth in claim 18, wherein said deflector is mounted for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the path of the newspaper as it is moved across the support, and means for holding the deflector in an inoperative position when the machine is not set up to fold protective wrapper sheetsabout the newspaper.

* III 

1. A machine for folding a relatively thick, once-folded newspaper comprising: a support for receiving the newspaper to be folded; a tucker blade movable along a return path beneath the leading edge of said newspaper as it is directed onto the support therefor to a position above the trailing edge of the newspaper, and thence along a folding path which initially overlies the trailing portion of the newspaper carried by said support, there being pusher means associated with the tucker blade located to engage the trailing edge of the newspaper and operable to push the latter forwardly on the support as the tucker blade moves along the initial part of its folding path of travel; a carrier positioned to receive the leading edge of the newspaper as the latter is pushed forwardly on the support by said pusher means, said tucker blade during continued movement thereof along said folding path being movable into engagement with the newspaper and thence downwardly between the support and said carrier to fold the newspaper therebetween; power means operably coupled to said tucker blade for successively moving the latter along said return and folding paths of travel thereof; and combination holding and fastening mechanism operable to receive the folded newspaper and then place a fastener therearound while the newspaper is firmly held in its folded condition so that upon ejection thereof from the machine, the newspaper presents a tight, compact bundle.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes spaced crusher assemblies for receiving the folded newspaper as it is pushed downwardly between the support and said carrier by said tucker blade, and fastening means for placing said fastener around the folded newspaper while it is firmly held by said crusher assemblies.
 3. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the support and is provided with a bottom wall located to support the leading edge of the newspaper, said carrier being swingable relative to the support as the newspaper is folded between the carrier and said support by the tucker blade.
 4. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pusher means comprises support structure for said tucker blade.
 5. A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein is provided a shaft mounted for pivoting movement in spaced relationship from said newspaper support, said structure comprising members carried by the shaft for swinging movement during pivoting thereof and extending above the support for engaging said trailing edge of a newspaper carried thereby, there being at least one longitudinally arcuate tucker blade carried by said members in spaced relationship from said shaft, and the power means being operably coupled to said shaft for oscillating the latter.
 6. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tucker blade is movable along an arcuate path of travel and is of longitudinally arcuate configuration conforming the arc through which it is movable.
 7. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the support, and means connected to the carrier for biasing the latter toward its position in closest proximity to the support to maintain a minimum gap between the carrier and support during folding of a newspaper therebetween, regardless of the thickness of the newspaper.
 8. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a pair of opposed, spaced crusher assemblies located to receive the folded newspaper as it is pushed downwardly between the support and the carrier, at least one of the crusher assemblies being mounted for movement toward and away from the other crusher assembly, and means for biasing said one crusher assembly toward the other to maintain a firm grip on a folded newspaper received between the crusher assemblies regardlesS of the thickness thereof.
 9. A machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the portions of the crusher assemblies receiving the newspaper therebetween are of arcuate configuration in the direction of movement of the newspaper, and said fastening means of the mechanism is operable to place at least one fastener around the folded newspaper while the latter is held in a transversely bent condition conforming substantially to the curvature of the crusher assemblies whereby the fastener is maintained in tight condition about the folded newspaper upon displacement thereof from the crusher assemblies.
 10. A machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the fastening means of said mechanism is mounted for movement with said one crusher assembly and operable to place at least one fastener around the folded newspaper while it is held by the crusher assemblies.
 11. A machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said fastening means includes at least one tier having a main tying unit carried by said one crusher assembly and an associated needle mounted for swinging movement over the folded newspaper held by the crusher assemblies into cooperative tying relationship to said unit.
 12. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a pair of opposed spaced crusher assemblies located to receive the folded newspaper as it is pushed downwardly between the support and the carrier, each of the crusher assemblies being provided with a plurality of elongated members having newspaper engaging sections of longitudinally arcuate configuration, the members of opposed assemblies being of conplemental curvature in the same direction.
 13. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier and the support are mounted for swinging movement toward and away from each other, said mechanism including fastening means for placing a fastener around the folded newspaper after it has been folded between the carrier and the support, and clutch means for permitting operation of the fastening means only upon deflection of the carrier from its normal position by a newspaper pushed downward between the support and said carrier by the tucker blade.
 14. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided movable conveyor means operably associated with said support and extending in the direction of movement of the newspaper across the support to assure uniform delivery of the newspaper to the carrier without canting of such newspaper.
 15. A machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said support includes a flat plate and said conveyor means includes an endless conveyor belt located adjacent each side of the plate.
 16. A machine as set forth in claim 1, which is adapted to fold a plurality of newspapers in stacked relationship and wherein said carrier is mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the support and is provided with an upright wall across the path of travel of the stacked newspapers disposed to be engaged by the leading edges thereof if such stacked newspapers move ahead of the pusher means whereby engagement of the newspapers with said wall effects alignment of the leading edges thereof prior to folding of the stacked newspapers by said tucker blade.
 17. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes fastening means for placing a fastener around the folded newspapers after folding thereof between the support and the carrier, and means operably coupling said power means to the fastening means for operating the tucker blade and said fastening means in timed sequential interrelationship.
 18. A machine as set forth in claim 1, which is adapted to wrap a protective wrapper sheet around the newspaper during folding thereof and wherein the newspaper to be folded is delivered to the support resting on a sheet having ends projecting forwardly of the leading edge of the newspaper and rearwardly of the trailing edge thereof, said machine including: a deflector above the support located to be engaged by the leading end of the sheet as the newspaper is delivered onto the support and operable to bend said leading end back over the leading edge of the newspaper, and said tucker blade being operable during movement along said initial part of its folding path of travel to engage the trailing end of the sheet and to fold the latter over the trailing edge of the newspaper.
 19. A machine as set forth in claim 18, wherein said sheet is of a length to cause said ends thereof to overlap when folded back over the newspaper, said tucker blade being located to engage the overlapped ends of the sheet to hold the latter as the tucker blade is moved along the path effecting folding of the newspaper between the support and said carrier.
 20. A machine as set forth in claim 18, wherein said deflector is mounted for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the path of the newspaper as it is moved across the support, and means for holding the deflector in an inoperative position when the machine is not set up to fold protective wrapper sheets about the newspaper. 